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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Sooooo this time of year, we all long for gorgeous, sun kissed glowy skin right? However, baking in the sun all day isn't exactly good for you! Besides, all you really need is a great product to help you along, and that's where i come in! Benefit Cosmetics has won my heart time and time again with their innovative products, and Cha Cha Tint is one of my new faves! Cha Cha Tint is a mango tinted stain for your cheeks and lips! It gives your complexion just the right amount of color and soft glow. A few strokes of this on your cheeks and lips, and voila... hello gorgeous! Don't you just love a great multi-tasking product? I know i do! I keep this pretty baby tucked away in my make-up bag because you just never know when you might need a dab of summer on your skin! So tell me, what's your favorite Benefit product??

Cha Cha Tint is available at Sephora or Benefit Cosmetics online.
Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM. I'm also on twitter @fashionmavenmom as well as Facebook and Bloglovin! xoxo Carla

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Have you ever felt as though your foundation is looking a bit streaky, or your eye shadow is just not creating the impact you'd hoped for? Well, don't discard your makeup just yet! Instead, take a good look at your brushes and determine if perhaps it's time to invest in new ones? Trust me, a brush can make all the difference in the makeup application process! You may find that a new brush brings a whole new life to those products you already know and love! Real Techniques offers high quality brushes at rather reasonable prices! These beauties were designed with pro makeup artist Samantha Chapman, combining high-tech materials with innovative design to make for a perfect makeup application.

While representing Allure magazine at the HBA Global Expo this past June, I had the pleasure of meeting one of 'Real Technique's representative who kindly gifted me with these three amazing brushes. Now I'm not gonna lie, i was a bit skeptical at first! I'm very VERY partial to MAC & Sephora when it comes to makeup brushes. However, after trying these, i was incredibly impressed with the quality, the application and the design. I LOVED that some of these brushes could actually stand upright on my counter! It made them that much easier to reach for! I can't say enough about how good these brushes felt against my skin as well as how well the makeup went on. There was no streaking whatsoever! I have to say, i love these so much, i want the entire collection!

Here's another great thing about Real Techniques, their website is incredibly informative. In fact, if you are a makeup FREAK like myself, then you're already familiar with Samantha Chapman's 'Pixiwoo' YouTube tutorials! When it comes to makeup, she's more then just an educator but a guru of sorts! She can help you transform yourself from blah to 'holy gorgeousness' in a matter of minutes! If you haven't watched any of her videos, be sure to do so and you'll see for yourself! Also, here's the kicker! The website has video tutorials for every single brush in their collection! Take that MAC and Sephora! Now don't get me wrong, i still love and always will love my MAC and Sephora brushes, but believe me... these will make a wonderful new addition to my hefty brush collection!

Ok so here are the brushes!

So the first brush is the Expert Face Brush, perfect for applying liquid or cream foundation! You will look 'pixel perfect' even in the harshest of lights! Its ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free!

The next brush is probably my favorite! It's called the Stippling Brush. The Real Techniques website describes it as the trades secret for creating airbrushed, high-definition results with all types of makeup, and personally, i AGREE! Coincidentally, Real Techniques must have read my mind, because i had plans to add this brush to my collection the very day that i received it in the mail! I literally squealed when i saw this beauty! Especially since it saved me a trip to the make up counter!

From subtle to dramatic, the Shading Brush is perfect for flawless, high definition results! I know my eyeshadow was perfection when i used it!

These gorgeous brushes are available via the Real Techniques website. If you absolutely must see them in person before purchasing (and i encourage you to), please visit your local Ulta! Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Psst...I have a little confession to make! I'm kind of obsessed with lip balms! (OK so i have lots of obsessions but for now we'll just discuss this one... don't judge!) I have found all kinds of gems that i will share with you one at a time. Most recently, i stumbled upon these super sleek, playful and oh so smooth eos lip balms! You've heard me say it before, I'm a total sucker for great packaging and this lip balm certainly does not lack on the 'cuteness' factor! You will definitely want to take this baby out of your make up pouch often just because... well, it's so cute! Well, cuteness aside, this lip balm is also an incredible product. You see, in the winter, i find myself reaching for 'healing' type lip products because my lips get so chapped. However, in the warmer months, i opt for milder balms that simply hydrate without feeling as though my lips are medicated. Oh and if they taste yummy, well that's just an added bonus right? Well, eos (which stands for 'evolution of smooth') has taken care of all those things! The best part about these balms is that they are 95% organic, 100% natural, gluten, paraben,Petrolatum and Phthalate free, so you can rest assured that you are not consuming all kinds of yucky stuff! My favorite of it's ingredients however is shea butter. I looooooove shea butter! I use it on my lips, skin, and hair! It's so hydrating!!! So, if you're in the market for lip balm packed with antioxidants, vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oils and is 100% natural, this pretty little bubble of happiness is for you! They come in the following flavors:
Summer Fruit,
Lemon Drop SPF 15 (hello.... SPF 15!! YAY), Strawberry Sorbet,
Honeysuckle Honeydew,
Medicated Tangerine and
Sweet Mint.
Right now, I'm loving the Honeysuckle Honeydew and the Strawberry Sorbet, though i plan on adding Sweet Mint and Lemon Drop to my collection ASAP!
eos lip balms are available at Target.

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla

Calling all my nail polish loving friends! And i know there are plenty of you! So the other day, while browsing through one of my favorite beauty blogs The Glossarie,I came across a brand of nail polish called Sheswai (pronounced She-sway). I must admit, i was immediately intrigued not only by the unique name, but by the gorgeous packaging. I'd never heard of this brand really, but wanted to know more. A couple of days later, while strolling through one of my favorite stores Anthropologie, there they were.... three beautiful Sheswai polishes! Wow, the bottles were even prettier in person! The three shades consisted of a subtle nude, a bright red, and a stunning salmon-y pink that immediately caught my eye! I was so excited to finally be able to physically see and touch this beautifully crafted bottle of heavenly polish! I immediately tried it on in the color "so cute" and it truly was! I knew immediately this pretty baby was coming home with meeeee! So here's the best part, i typically paint my nails several times a week and find myself switching colors and styles like there's no tomorrow. Yet, I've been wearing this very same color all week! I can't get enough! It's such a lovely combination of a pretty neutral, yet with a pop of fleshy pink! It's so perfect with my current sun kissed skin tone! I'm hoping Anthropologie gets the entire collection! I want more and more and MORE! I quickly approached a sales associate who was equally excited to have received these and assured me that they would indeed get more in store. Let me also tell you what makes this brand even more special! As stated on their website: "sheswai lacquer is FREE of formaldehyde, toluene, and dbp’s, making it less toxic. And our caps are made from sustainably harvested wood, grown on family owned tree farms sheswai is the first nail polish in the beauty industry to use a custom wood turned cap, thereby reducing the use of plastic." Don't you just love that???

I have my eye on a bunch of other colors such as 'stoned, stoked, fuckyeah, what and badass! So, check out their website for more of this wonderful eye candy... I promise you will immediately be drawn to their stunning presentation and even more, you'll die over their indulgent color palette!

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla

Thursday, July 19, 2012

So it took me a while to post this review but i have to say that i was so bummed that i did not get to review the June box at all because it was such a killer box! I mean, June was pure madness around here! Between finishing off the school year, packing for vacation and preparing for the HBA Global Expo with Allure Magazine, i just couldn't find the time to create a beautiful tribute to this box. But i will tell you this, i got a ton of use out of it during my vacation! I'll quickly tell you just some of the things included... Stila bronzer, Rose Water hydrating spray (hello, best thing on the airplane... even my little girls were asking for a spritz!), Staniac by the Balm which i happily applied on my cheeks and lips for a soft glow and my super cute and useful Tili bag which housed some yummy snacks for the plane! So there you have it, a quick run down of what was possibly one of the best boxes! Though this month certainly did not disappoint!

So without further ado, here are all the wonderful goodies that arrived at my doorstep this month! For the month of July, Birchbox teamed up with Glamour magazine for a 'senses' themed box! The first item i received was Blinc Mascara. It was housed in a tube, making this product even more intriguing! I'm a sucker for great packaging, and this certainly did not disappoint! As for the product itself, it totally delivered making my lashes incredibly glossy! Best part, no make up remover necessary... a dab of warm water will wipe this shiny beauty to mascara heaven!

The next product was a wonderful luxe salt scrub in lemon leaf by Dirt. Honestly, it was like the people at Birchbox could read my mind! I've been in the market for a body scrub, so the timing on this baby was puuuurrrrfect! I actually used it for the first time today and loved, loved, LOVED it! The texture was just abrasive enough to make me feel as though it was truly scrubbing away all the impurities, yet gentle enough that it didn't feel like i was getting sand blasted! The delicious citrus scent was intoxicating in the most pleasant of ways making for a spa like shower experience for sure!

In this box, was a charming scent called Eau Flirt by Harvey Prince. This fragrance was layered with notes of Jasmine and fresh citrus along with a base of lavender and pumpkin. Although the scent is quite lovely, i don't foresee myself wearing it on a regular basis.

So this next product was really interesting! I received a Stila eyeshadow palette in 'the light eye'. The colors consisted mainly of neutrals. I can't wait to sample some of these since i love Stila products! In fact, i already own some of the colors included in this palette. I'd never seen a palette sample like this. It basically resembles a post card. I'll have a blast playing with these... i LOVE getting make-up samples!

The next two products were actually Lifestyle Extras. The first was a Larabar. I personally am a huge fan of Larabars. I was initially introduced to them by my wonderful yoga teacher during a 'detox' type seminar. I've been in love with their products ever since! Interestingly enough, i had yet to try this particular type of Larabar that fused sweet with savory making it the perfect snack! I will absolutely purchase this again!

Lastly was a super cool and very useful item! I received Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds! Glamour put together a playlist available on their site that you can listen to using these sweet earbuds. OR, you can simply use them on your ipod or iphone! Can i just tell you how awesome it is to have an extra set of earbuds! I go through these like water! Oh and i was secretly hoping for this very color combo! (Here's a little secret.... they're washing machine proof... don't ask!) Yay!

Overall, i thought this box was just as good as last months! Birchbox is quickly becoming my absolute favorite monthly delivery service! After all, for $10 per month, you actually get a lot more product than you pay for, that's for sure! Thank you Birchbox! I'm a very happy customer indeed!

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Yay, i finally got my very first Glossybox! I've been anxiously awaiting and now it's finally here! I took a peek at last month's box via other bloggers/youtube and was SO sad that i didn't act on it! I really wanted that Burberry lipstick! Oh well, you win some and you lose some! Nevertheless, this one is here and it certainly did not disappoint. Let me begin with the packaging! Honestly, I'd have to say most of my monthly delivery services have nice packaging, but this one takes the cake! This box is way too cute to discard! I will definitely find some good use for it! OK, now lets get to the good stuff! This box came equipped with the July issue of Glossy Mag, packed with everything you need to know to stay cool and look hot during the scorching summer months! I'm a magazine junkie, and truly enjoyed reading this unexpected few pages of goodness!

The items in this month's box are all about 'Summer Simplicity'! The first item i sampled was the AHAVA Mineral Botanic Hibiscus & Fig Velvet Cream Wash. This mouth full body wash did not disappoint. It's very light in fragrance making it for a pleasant shower experience. The worst thing ever is feeling overwhelmed by a strong scent! Yuck! It's incredibly hydrating to the skin. Even after my shower was complete, my skin felt so soft and radiant! Thanks AHAVA & Glossybox!

The next item is the Smooth Shave Cream by First Aid Beauty. To be honest, i have yet to try this. I'm almost finished with my 'Intuition' razor, which is what i typically use, so as soon as it's done, I'll purchase some new razors to pair with this promising shave cream! I'll keep you posted!

Next item is the OFRA cosmetics eyeshadow Ice in the color Goldilocks! Don't you just love that name?? It's a gorgeous gold cream shadow that I'm loving right now! All you need is a dab of mascara, a touch of cheek/lip stain and you are all set! Perfect to create that 'summer simple' sun kissed glow!

In this box, i also received a pack of three V Beauty products which included the 'Lite Up Intense Brightening Agent/Serum', Buying Time Everyday Cream and Eye Never Nourishing Repair Eye Cream. I'll note that they're paraben free, fragrance free, gluten free, nut free, oat free, dermatology tested and not tested on animals making these products a gem in my book!

The Wella Professionals Enrich Moisturizing Treatment was fantastic! Although it was a very generous size, my hair is so thick and course that it didn't take much before it was all gone! I will definitely replenish this!

Lastly was a perfume sample called Urban Organic from A Perfume Organic. It's a rather pleasant citric scent if you're into that. Although i enjoyed the scent, i don't foresee myself wearing this. I could however, splash it in certain places in the house for a mild fresh scent!

Overall I'm very pleased with my first Glossybox and look forward to many more! Do you have a subscription? What are your thoughts if you do? If you don't currently subscribe and are curious about it, just click here!

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

This season is filled with fabulous new trends. There are a few however, that really stand
out in my mind as favorites of mine! I
just about died watching Elie Saab’s gorgeous display of monochromatic hues
make their way down the runway creating a rainbow effect. Valentino also featured a sequence of chic
monochromatic pairings that screamed perfection. Another wonderful trend we are seeing
everywhere is pops of color and color blocking.
This is such a ‘feel good’ trend!
Bright colors can just about brighten anyone’s day! I’m
loving all the tangerine hues as well as greens and turquoise pairings.

If you know me, you know that I’m obsessed with nail
polish! I have more than I can count but
I can never seem to get enough. So every
season, I think about the current fashion trends, and find ways to translate
those trends into my beauty routine.
Particularly my nails! For this
manicure, I opted for one color, blue,
and decided to illustrate two different trends using this one color. On one hand, I am wearing my interpretation
of color blocking. I painted my nails in
a pretty turquoise blue. For my ring finger
nail I opted for a navy blue with a bit of shimmer. This not only illustrates color blocking but
a huge trend happening in nails where one nail color differs from the
rest.

For my other hand, I opted to show my interpretation of a
monochromatic effect - Ombre. My main color was
blue and each nail was polished in a different shade of the same base
color. I actually LOVE this! I mean it’s genius! It makes perfect sense for a girl with a
thousand polishes right? I’ll definitely
get more wear out of my polish collection, that’s for sure! Overall, a great way to sport new trends,
particularly those you may be hesitant to invest in at first, is with your nail
polish. It’s inexpensive, and easily
removable! So go ahead… be
creative!

On one hand I'm wearing Slapper and Bluey by Butter London. On the other hand, I'm wearing 'Wave - Ombre' by The New Black which is a pairing of five fabulous shades of blue. Both brands available at Nordstrom.

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Love hearing your thoughts so make sure to spread some love and leave a comment! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM. XOXO Carla.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

So this time of year, it's all about rocking your gorgeous sun kissed skin! Who wants to spend a ton of time in front of a mirror caking their face on with a ton of product, when all you really need to beat the summer heat are a few essentials! First, a killer BB Cream! No other product has the multi-tasking abilities as does a good Blemish Balm (you can read my BB Cream 101 post here) which is equipped with anti-aging properties, sunscreen, primer, moisturizer, and oil control. I'm currently using SarahMcNamara's Skin Transformer which i love! I'm thinking this Fall, I'll either go with Dr. Jart which I've had a chance to sample and love in my May Birchbox or Bobbi Brown's much anticipated BB Cream. Decisions, decisions!

OK, the second thing you'll need is one of my favorite double action products! A must in everyone’s make-up bag is Stila’s Convertible Color! This super versatile product can give your cheeks a gorgeous sun kissed look by simply dabbing a tiny bit of this creamy color on your cheeks. I love when my makeup can multitask, so I also dab some on my lips for a wonderful monochromatic look! You can wear as much or as little as you like, creating either a subtle or more defined look, depending on your mood. This product is great for girls like me, who live for makeup, but also appeals to my makeup-shy friends who just want a touch of color and a little bit of "natural " glow. Its compact size makes it easy to carry with you at all times for easy touch ups. I don't think I'll ever take another beach vacation without it. It's perfect for when you want to leave most of your make-up back at home with the rest of reality. Just add a bit of Stila’s Convertible Color as the ideal compliment for your glowing skin! My favorite colors are Gladiola and Peony. Gladiola is a golden light orange which is so hot this season, Peony is more of an antique rose with a bit of red undertones giving you a soft romantic look. At $25 for a two-in-one product, this product is one you really can't afford to miss!

Lastly, i say skip the concealer (after all, with your gorgeous sun kissed skin, you don't really need it right?) so double up on the mascara instead! A cult favorite is Diorshow... this pretty baby can make your lashes go from blah, to 'oooo lala' with a simple stroke of the wand! If your budget doesn't quite match it's hefty price tag, you can do no wrong with Maybelline's Collasle Volume Lash which is another favorite of mine! Dab a touch of cream shadow on your lids and beneath your brow bone to brighten your eyes! I'm currently obsessed with this e.l.f. cream shadow in candlelight! And at only $3 a pop, you can't afford not to take this pretty little shadow home, right?

If liner is a must for you, (i say this is totally optional), e.l.f. also has a great liner pen that i have doubled as a brow pen! And at a whopping $1... don't just buy one, buy THREE!!! (You can read my recent post on e.l.f. here).

So there you have it, all you need is 4-5 products that can easily be applied in a matter of a few minutes! They're practically fool proof! So go ahead, simplify... and use the extra time to enjoy the summer!

Thank you so much for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Calling all recessionistas! If you've been searching for great, affordable make-up but your budget is limited, i have fantastic news for you! On a recent trip to Target, i came across e.l.f. (Eyes, Lips, Face), a make-up line complete with all the necessities to make you go from blah to vavavoom without breaking the bank! In fact, i had to do a double take when i saw the prices! I'm quite used to spending a pretty penny on my make-up so this was a novelty to me! I've read about e.l.f. products in magazines but when i came across their isle at Target, I decided to see what all the hype was about. I immediately stocked my cart with enough stuff to create an easy, summer look!
I proceeded to purchase the following products:
Lengthening & Defining Mascara in Black - $1.00
Lengthening & Voluminizing Mascara in Black - $3.00
Cream Eyeshadow in Candlelight (includes brush) - $3.00
Cream Eyeshadow in Bronzed (includes brush) - $3.00
Pigment Eyeshadow in Naturally Nude (includes brush) - $3.00
All Over Color Stick in Persimmon - $1.00
All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade - $1.00
Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Coffee - $1.00
Liquid Eyeliner in Copper - $1.00
Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal - $1.00
Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Perfect Pink - $1.00
Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in beige - $3.00
Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths - $3.00
Shine Eraser Sheets - $1.00

Total cost... a whopping $26!!! That's what i pay for one of my Chanel Polishes! Hello!!!! Can you say SCORE!

I immediately went home, ripped the packages open and began to play! I can't even explain how surprised i was that this stuff was actually pretty good! The eyeshadows were incredibly pigmented, much to my surprise! The worst thing ever is realizing that shadow you love so much, barely shows on your skin! Uhh! The eyeliner pen is fool proof, trust me! Anyone can use this stuff to create a perfect line! The liquid lipstick reminds me a lot of Stila's applicator with the exception that instead of a brush, you'll get an angled spongy application which i happen to enjoy! I loved the All Over Color stick in Pink Lemonade the most, as the Persimmon was a bit light for my skin tone. If you like copper/gold glitter, then the Liquid Eyeliner in Copper is for you! This stuff is gorgeous! I worry about looking too teeny bopperish wearing it but thought that maybe if i just dab it on my eyelid for a little extra sparkle on a special evening, then it's harmless. Unfortunately, the tinted moisturizer was not the right color for my skin tone. They do have others but I'll just keep using what i normally use and call it a day! As for the mascaras, i decided to get two because i wanted to compare why one cost $1.00 and the other cost $3.00. Personally, i say splurge on the $3.00 mascara because the wand is certainly better. I actually didn't mind this mascara at all and have been wearing it all week. In fact, I've been wearing solely this make-up for a week just to be sure my skin didn't have any weird reaction, and so far so good! Overall, the price point is exceptional and the packaging is appealing and looks high end. They're made with no parabens, no preservatives and no chemical dyes which makes them even more appealing! Oh and they're 'cruelty free' which is important to note!

The swatches below are in the same order as the picture above. From left to right: Pigment Eyeshadow in Naturally Nude, Cream Eyeshadow in Bronzed and Cream Eyeshadow in Candlelight.

Below is the All Over Color Stick (from left to right) Persimmon and Pink Lemonade. Unfortunately the pictures are not doing any of these colors justice. They look so frosty but they're much prettier in person!﻿

Total cost - $11.00! What??? Just think of all the wonderful things you can do with all the money you'll save!!!

Ok, here's a picture of me wearing some solely e.l.f. products! What do you think?

So go ahead and grab yourself some e.l.f. products! At these prices, you can't afford not to right? Every woman should have the ability to purchase quality products without sacrificing her budget... these are the products that will ensure you stay on point! Let me know what you think! Happy Experimenting!

Thank you so much for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Summer time can be loads of fun! However, the heat and humidity can take it's toll on your hair! When that happens, you'll be sure to arm yourself with a super cute fishtail braid right? And lucky for you, i'm going to show you how! It looks intriquite, but it's actually quite easy! Just watch the video below and see for yourself!

Here are a few more pics... enjoy!

The braid below had a bit of a twist at the end. I wish i knew how i did that but it kind of just happened! Oh and in this picture, i actually have Frederic Fekkai's Shea Butter Mask on (available at Nordstrom). You'd never know it right?

Below is a picture of the waves this braid creates once you take it off after hours of wearing it. Spray some 'Boho Waves' by Alterna Bamboo all over your hair and twirl around your fingers to create great beach hair!

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM. XOXO Carla

Monday, July 9, 2012

This time of year can be quite traumatic on hair! Between the sun, chlorine and other summer time factors, your hair can end up looking dry and lifeless. I love using hair masks to combat some of these summer time woes, so today I'm going to introduce you to one of the masks that i love! It's Phytolisse Express Soothing Mask by Phyto. I use this at least twice a week to ensure that my hair remains hydrated and smooth. It works wonders! In fact, I'm in the pool often since i have one in my back yard and I am super careful not to ever wet my hair because i don't want any choline in it. However, I'm also a mommy to super active four year old twin girls which means that as much as i try and avoid wetting my hair in the pool, one of my twinadoes is typically sure to sabotage this attempt! So, I arm myself with this mask. After my morning shower, i apply it on my hair and tie it back into a bun. This way, when i dip in the pool, my hair is super protected ensuring that when I rinse it off later, it's sure to be nice and smooth. You don't have to keep it on all day like i do, you can certainly wash it off after a few minutes of letting it do it's magic! It works just as well. I like to pair it with Phytokeratin or PhytoSpecific to ensure that my locks stay hydrated. My hair is color treated and needs all the help it can get. These and other Phyto products are available at Sephora.

Thank you so much for reading! Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM! XOXO Carla